In these uncertain times I wanted to use my platform to bring attention to some BAME authors that deserve more attention and space on our bookshelves.
Previously I have been terrible with inclusivity on my own shelves and although my actions were unintentional it shows the lack of representation for BAME authors in the reading community. Therefore this list is just a handful of books that I'm going to work toward incorporating into my own TBR (to-be-read) list and I hope you do to!
Clap When You Land - Elizabeth Acevedo
Young Adult
Avg. Rating = 4.5/5
https://www.waterstones.com/book/clap-when-you-land/elizabeth-acevedo/9781471409127
I Am Not Your Baby Mother - Candice Brathwaite
Motherhood/Parenting
Avg. Rating = 5/5
https://www.waterstones.com/book/i-am-not-your-baby-mother/candice-brathwaite/9781529406276
How to Pronounce Knife - Souvankham Thammavongsa
Contemporary Fiction
Avg. Rating = 4/5
https://www.waterstones.com/book/how-to-pronounce-knife/souvankham-thammavongsa/9781526610430
The Black Flamingo - Dean Atta
Coming of Age/LGBTQ+
Avg. Rating = 4.5/5
https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-black-flamingo/dean-atta/anshika-khullar/9781444948608
And the Stars Were Burning Brightly - Danielle Jawando
Trigger Warning; suicide, serious bullying
Grief/YA
Avg. Rating = 5/5
https://www.waterstones.com/book/and-the-stars-were-burning-brightly/danielle-jawando/9781471178771
A Drop of Midnight: A Memoir - Jason Diakité
Memoir
Avg. Rating = 4.5/5
Conjure Women - Afia Atakora
Historical Fiction
Avg. Rating = 4.5/5
https://www.waterstones.com/book/conjure-women/afia-atakora/9780008293918
Catherine House - Elisabeth Thomas
Gothic Romance/Fantasy
Avg. Rating = 3.5/5
https://www.waterstones.com/book/catherine-house/elisabeth-thomas/9781472262431
Rainbow Milk - Paul Mendez
General Fiction/LGBTQ+
Avg. Rating = 4/5
https://www.waterstones.com/book/rainbow-milk/paul-mendez/9780349700595
Queenie - Candice Carty-Williams
General Fiction
Avg. Rating = 4/5
https://www.waterstones.com/book/queenie/candice-carty-williams/9781409180074
My Sister, the Serial Killer - Oyinkan Braithwaite
Mystery/Thriller
Avg. Rating = 4/5
https://www.waterstones.com/book/my-sister-the-serial-killer/oyinkan-braithwaite/9781786495983
An American Marriage - Tayari Jones
Contemporary
Avg. Rating = 4/5
https://www.waterstones.com/book/an-american-marriage/tayari-jones/9781786075192
Please let me know if you have read any of these already, or if you have anymore that you would recommend!
If you are not in a financial position to donate to the causes directly you can watch this YouTube video that donates all Ad proceeds to various funds and causes related to the Black Lives Matter movement: elves like I have done. Many publishing companies have released their own lists of books they recommend so they're definitely worth looking at as well! s
If you want to support the Black Lives Matter movement please consider signing these petitions, or donating to these causes (some are specific to the UK, where I am based):
PETITIONS:
DONATE:
If you are not in a financial position to donate to the cause directly you can watch this YouTube video that donates all AD proceeds to various funds and causes related to the Black Lives Matter movement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCgLa25fDHM&feature=youtu.be (a full list of organisations is listed at the beginning of the video)